Is Tinder the Perfect Dating App or a Total Waste of Time?

With 1.6 billion swipes a day, it is not hard to see why Tinder has outstripped the more traditional dating sites like Match.com in terms of popularity and the latter must rely on some serious discounts to attract new users.

It has completely altered the way we approach online dating and will continue to do so in 2018. Even though it was launched back in 2011 initially, it is updated regularly to keep it relevant.

Tinder is similar to other dating sites in that it does suggest potential mates in the same area as you. Where it differs greatly, though, is that you get to see the Tinder profile in the handy app on your phone.

If you see a woman that looks nice and who might be a match, swipe right. If she also likes the looks of you and swipes right as well, the app allows you to message each other.

If you don’t like the looks of her, swipe left, no harm, no foul, and Tinder register your preferences. It helps it narrow down matches better and her profile is removed from your potential matches in future.

And that is where Tinder leaves other services in its dust. There is no awkward messaging needed – it is only if both of you are interested that you are even able to message each other. There is no paging through tons of personal info – you get a pic and a brief introduction and then choose to go on or not.

According to the New York Times, New York city has the highest number of users, followed by Los Angeles. And, according to the same article, people there use Tinder for various reasons – from forming platonic bonds to arranging quick hookups.

The site does warn that there might be users who are out for what they can get and cites the example of a foodie that would use the app with the express purpose of getting someone to buy her expensive meals. It also cited an example of a businessman who was using the app to find business contacts.

But is Tinder any more open to abuse than other online dating sites? Not really – all it really does is makes connections faster – as with any connections made online, it is a case of buyer beware.

What you get out of the app depends really on what you want out of it. It is possible to make connections with real people if that is what you are looking for – after all, if someone is only interested in a casual hookup, you usually find that out pretty quickly.

Some people do have a more pessimistic outlook on Tinder, claiming that it makes it impossible to enjoy real social intimacy. However, this study, called “Liquid Love” examined this aspect of social intimacy and found that these ideas were a little too pessimistic.

One of the findings of the study was that what it termed “network intimacy”, such as the kind developed through apps like Tinder, had positives as well.

Tinder is simply an evolution of societal interaction. It is possible to create instant connections with people that you think you may like, and communicate with them in a simple and non-threatening manner.

There is no pressure on either party to take things any further. If you feel that you would like to get to know more about a potential match, you can chat online easily without actually needing to meet until the two of you are comfortable with one another.

Can you meet the love of your life through Tinder? Why not? It does make it easier to get an introduction to someone and that can be a big plus in our busy lives. It gives you the chance to interact with people outside of your normal circle, who you might never have met otherwise.

If the relationship is going to progress to the next level, you will both need to get to know each other better, so there is still an aspect of the traditional dating process. It doesn’t cut out the normal progression of a relationship but rather acts more as an introductory service.

Are you bound to meet some real losers? Of course, but that’s as possible in the “real world” as well. Will initial connections be more superficial? Again, that’s only natural with an app that is based mainly on photos.

But again, we can draw parallels in the real dating world again. There has to be some initial form of attraction to get you interested in someone. If you were hitting on a woman in a bar, it would be because she looked like the type of woman you would date. Seemingly there it may work out perfectly or you may get no positive response to your message.

But there have to be some real positives for Tinder as well, otherwise, why would there be over 50 million users? And, with around 62% of users reporting that they go on one or two dates a week, it clearly gets results.

Tinder appeals to modern daters because it allows for more immediate interfaces. You just need to be careful that you don’t get addicted to swiping, instead of getting out there and meeting people.

It’s ideally suited to the modern dating scene – you get your options laid out in front of you easily and quickly like the best Tinder pickup lines. The awkwardness of meeting, the “Will she be interested” part of it, gets dealt with for you.

Is Tinder going to be a good fit for you? There really is only one way to find out – why not swipe and see for yourself?

About the authorPatrick Banks

Patrick is a Berlin-based dating advisor, motivational speaker, a huge fitness and vegan diet enthusiast and the main editor at Wingman Magazine, specialised in men's health. His ultimate goal is to share with men around the world his passion for self-development and to help them to become the greatest version of themselves. He believes a healthy body and successful social interactions are two main keys to happiness.